Cheekytrish92

What's your opinion on this guys?
The special high schools that focus on finishing up your high school credits, and push you to take enough college classes that will get you an A.A. degree(if you work hard enough). What do you think colleges think of this?

tickytock14

I think you'll then have to apply to colleges as a transfer student, which is difficult. Colleges want somebody who will pay four years worth of tuition.

swimcatsmom

Most colleges do not credit you with college classes taken as concurrent enrolment until you complete a semester. That way you enter as a freshman and are eligible for freshman scholarships.

If these schools actually have you get an AA degree then I would be cautious - transfer students are not usually eligible for anywhere near the scholarships that freshman are.

Cheekytrish92

Oh ok,
so what if you apply to the college of your choice knowing that the credits won't transfer (colleges like Harvard etc.), all you do is just take them over at that college right?
Do you think that it will be impressive to see a high school student taking these college courses and attaining the A.A, even though it may mean "nothing" to them?
I'm considering this, just wondering if it'll just be a waste of time.

aigiqinf

^
We have these schools in NC.

The problem to me is that from what understand, you CAN'T even APPLY to Harvard or ANY "top" colleges with an associates degree for freshman status. One cannot rescind degrees or credits in order to be eligible for freshman admissions. (From Harvard website, who isn't even taking transfers for the next two years.) I.E. You HAVE to apply as a transfer applicant EVERYWHERE. Ergo, you'll probably only get into your state flagship at best. I had to consider this option, and at my school I have the option to get an Associates, it is just something that I don't wish to. Transfer acceptance at Ivies and top colleges is typically 5%ish, and the typical applicant is at a top college themselves or at least a 4 year university. (I'm assuming this program is with a community college or crappy state school like in NC)

You may however, to my knowledge, apply to any college as a freshman if you have less than 30 college credit hours. (two years)

These programs are honestly typically geared to disadvantaged students who would have a hard time paying for college, wouldn't otherwise attend college, or would most likely never be successful or accepted to anything other than an in-state school. At least in NC. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Cheekytrish92

So its probably just a good idea to attain 30 credit hours or less rather than the associates degree right?

To avoid all the complications....

aigiqinf

AP is better. My take on it is this: The best non-magnet public schools are those that you can take AP classes (either there or online) and college courses past APs. Most no "top colleges" will give credit for courses taken at any other school , other than top colleges, and even that is rare. However, taking college classes post-AP (Organic chemistry, Differential Equations, Multivariable calculus) will show top colleges you are serious.

As I had to tell an applicant to my school asking questions today: "Community colleges/Instate college classes are best if you wish to attend instate schools. They are free and will transfer, you can also sometimes earn more credit via Community colleges than AP courses. AP Courses are best if you wish to attend a private or top colleges. Non-state schools will rarely grant credit for Community colleges courses. AP tests do however cost $84 per class. It's all about your goals. Where do you want to attend college?"

In a nutshell, I don't believe that an A.A is looked on with any prestige or excitement, or does it have an advantage out of state, assuming it is from a community college or "weak" state school. It's like the GED, EVERYONE who has any chance at Harvard could pass the GED like it was nothing, EVERYONE who has any chance at Harvard could have graduated early at a typical school, EVERYONE could earn an AA from this pool. That's why I don't believe it's worth anything.